Heating control system



Aug.' i0, 1948. v. G. VAUGHAN ET'AL HEATING CONTROL 'SYSTEM 2 Shets-Sheet l Terai Filed April 25, 1945 ugylO, 1948. v. G; VAUGHAN Erm. 2,445,677

\ HEATING CONTROL SYSTEM FiledhApril 25. 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 FIG] N FIG."

Patented A ug. l0, 1948 UNITED As'rri'jrls HEATING CONTROL SYSTEM Victor G. Vaughan and John 0. Moorhead, Attleboro, Mass., assignors to Metals and Controls ro, Mass., a corporation of Corporation, Attlebo Massachusetts Application April 25,1045, Serial No. 590,200

s claims. (ci. 237-8) This invention -relates to heating control systems and more particularly to thermostatically controlled heating systems.

Among the objects of this invention are the provision of a heating control system which automatically varies the heat input in accordance with the temperature of a space to be heated; the provision of a heating control system which substantially avoids overheating the heated area; the

provision of a heating control system which i`s in-` expensive and easily installed; the provision of a heating controlsystem which is of particular advantage for use with automobile heating systems;

exchange iluid is subject to variations and their and, the provision of a heating system of the type indicated which may be inexpensively installed in automobiles to efficiently control the heat input to the car. Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed .out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises thev elements and combinations of elements, features oi? construction, and'arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which are illustrated several of various possible embodiments of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a heating system of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2--2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on lin-e 0-3'111 Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 in Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is -a section taken on line 6-6 in' Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the main thermal element in the system of Fig. l; Fig. 8 is a right-end elevation of the Fig. 7 element;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9--0 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is aview similar to Fig. 3 but show- V1o and v11 use will be illustrated primarily for this purpose. It will be understood, however, that heating control systems of the present invention may be usefully employed for controlling other heating systems, such as hot air and hot water heating unit v for buildings.

The usual method for heating automobiles has been to tap the cooling system of the engine and circulate part of the heated cooling liquid through a heater. A fan forces air through the heater and around the occupants of the car. With this arrangement the temperature of the automobilel interior varies considerably. Some measure of control is provided by a variable speed switch on the fan but this provides only a few heating rates A and requires manual operation.

In accordance with the present invention the flow of hot water through the heater is controlled in accordance with a predetermined temperature setting for the interior ofthe car irrespective of the temperature of the engine cooling water.

Referring now to the drawings, in Fig. 1 is shown diagrammatically, a heater I of the conventional type having a water inlet pipe 3 constituting a supply conduit connected to the upper end of the heater 'and an outlet pipe 5 constituting a return conduit connected to the bottom of the heater;

A motor I and fan 9 force air over the heater core I0 constituting vthe heat exchanger of unit heater I and toward the car occupants in the direction indicated by the arrows.

A source of fresh air for the fan is obtained from a duct II, leading from the exterior of the automobile body. Louvers I3 regulate the intake .under control of a bimetal strip thermostatic element I5 so that after a predetermined car tem- `ing modification of the control valve shown in warptoward its solid line position (Fig. 1) to open.

louvers I3 admitting fresh air to the heater. Element I5 is located so as to respond to car temperature.

The wiring circuit I1 to the fan motor 'l includes a thermostatic switch I0 which makes or breaks the circuit I'I to the fan in response to the temperature of the water owing through the core of the heater I'. Switch I9 is set to remain open until the water temperature is high enough so fan 9 blows warm air from heater I.

Also in circuit I1 is a switch 20 which includes a resistance 2| which is incircuit causing motor 'I to run slowly untilthe air from heater I is quite warm, after'which a thermostatic element 23 trips from a contact' 24 `on resistance 2l to a contact 29. This eliminates resistance 2| from the circuit'land brings fan motor 1 up to speed.

A valve 25 is the primary control for the heat output of heater I. Valve 25 includes a case 21 containing a valve chamber 29. This valve chamber is cored through case 21 vertically and is closed at top and bottom by pressed-'in discs or Welsh plugs 3l. 4'.I'his simplifies the construction and speeds the assembly of the interior parts of the valve. Once the parts are assembled and adjusted, discs 3I are put in place (as shown by dotted lines for the lower disc in Fig. 4) and pressed home providing a leak-proof joint, unaffected by vibration. q

A horizontal passage 33 through case 21 includes an inlet 35 and `an outlet 31 from valve chamber 29. At the inlet side of valve chamber 29 is a by-pass 39 to which is connected in any suitable manner a pipe 4|. Pipe 4I is also connected to return or outlet pipe 5 of heater I. Inlet 35 is connected to a pipe I2 which in turn is connected to`a hot-water discharge part of the cooling system for the automobile engine. Pipe 3 connects outlet 31 of passage 33 to the inlet to heater I. l

Mounted vertically and supported by webs 63 is a secondary .valve chamber 45 containing an ,inlet hole I1, a top valve seat 49 and a lower valve seat 5I. The openings through the seats 49 and 5| are equal. A valve 53 on a stem 55 seats against the top valve seat I9 while a second valve 51 on a stem 59 seats against the bottom valve seat 5I. These valves cut off the passage of liquid between inlet 35 and outlet 31 by way of the holes 6I in webs 43. Valve stem 55 of valve 53 has a ball and socket connection 63 with valve 51. This construction aligns the two`valves in their closed positions (s ee Fig. 3). A light return spring 85 bears against a head 51 on stem 59 and exerts a slight seating pressure for valves 53 and 51. In

view of the equal areas of the; valve openings, the

valves 53 and 51 are hydraulically balanced.

A cam nger 1| on a rotatable shaft 69 bears against head 51. Rotatable shaft 69 is supported in a bearing 13 in case 21. On the outside of case 21 it is attached to a lever 15 which is loosely pinned at its opposite end to the movable stem 11 of a temperature responsive device 19. This temperature responsive device 191s located within the automobile body.

Secondary valve chamber isan equalizing chamber wherein the fluid pressure from inlet 35 is divided between the two valves 53 and 51. Because of this balanced condition very little force is required to open or close valves 53 and 51.

The temperature responsive device 19 includes a thermostatic element 85 of the type described in Parsons Patent 2,121,259, mounted between the ends 8| of an open :frame work 83. Thermostatic element 85 consists of bimetallic material wound along a minor helix and the resulting minorwound material is then 'wound along a major helix. The bimetallic member so made will expand and contract in the direction of the axis of the major helix when the temperature of the element 85 is` changed as in response to changes in theatmospheric temperature of the interior of the automobile. Element 85 is constructed to 11 to move freely in response to longitudinal movement of the element, to shift the cam finger 1| and shaft 69, thereby opening or closing valves 58 and 51.

A check valve 92 is located in by-pass pipe 4| (see Figs. l, 5 and 6). Check valve 92 consists of a valve seat ring 93 pressed into by-pass pipe 4l and a butterfly type valve 95 pivoted at 91 to the ring 93. Pressure tending to open the valve is resisted by a light wire spring 99. Check valve 92 can be inexpensively constructed since it need not close oif by-pass 4| completely and the alignment of 'parts need not be perfect.

The operation of the control system is as iollows. Assume that the interior of the automobile is cold and the engine has just been started.

-Element 85 has been contracted with cold, pressing nger 1| against head 61 and opening valves 53 and 51 against spring 65. Check valve 92, at low pressure when the thermostat 85 is calling for heat, directs the ilow of cooling uid from the engine into heater I. Thus during the initial warming up period, if pressures are low, spring 99 holds valve 95 closed, cutting by-pass 4I out of the circuit. When valves 53 and 51 are closed, there is suillclent pressure available to force open valve 95, and the fluid is by-passed through 4|. The amount of by-passing in all cases will depend on the amount of pressure in the system, and the amount of opening in valves 53 and 51.

After the cooling iiuid flowing through heater I has become sufficiently warm, thermostat I9 closes the electrical circuit to fan motor 1. The fan will run slowly at rst because resistance 2| is in the circuit but as the cooling iluid becomes warmer, resistance 2| will be shunted out and the fan will increase in speed. Meanwhile if the engine is driving the pump for the cooling fluid at a high rate, check valve 95 will open proportlonately to allow the excess liquid to by-pass valves 53 and 51. This prevents ilutteringI of valves 58 and 51 under periodic pressure impulses from ,the cooling iluid pump. As the temperature in the car rises, thermostatic element I5 moves to open louvers I3 admitting fresh air from the exterior to be warmed by passing through the heater and circulated by fan 9. As the temperature rises, elementl 85 expands. This expansion tends to move finger 1| away from head 61 permitting spring 65 to close valves 53 and 51 proportionately. As this happens more and more of the cooling iiuid will be passed into pipe 4I, the check valve 95 opening to a greater extent to accommodate the added ow. Likewise as less water flows through the heater, the fan will be able to send less heat into the car and a predetermined temperature for the interior of the car will be reached.

An alternative form of valve4 to replace the mushroom-type valve shown in Figs. 2-4, is illustrated by Figs. 10, l1 and 12. The alternative valve is of a rotary gate type and also embodies the advantages 'stated for the previously described form.

The Figs. 10-12 valve comprises a body illl with a cross passage |93. Inlet |95 and outlet |81 provide connections to the cooling system of an automobile. A by-pass connection 39 joins passage ID3.

Traversing the passage ID3 at right angles is a. seat |09 for the gate I I. An actuating stem I|3 extends from gate III. It need not have a perfect lt in the screw cap I I5. Stem I I3 has a head I|9 which rests on a seat ||1 and is integrally connected to gate III by neck |20. A spring I2I J v vaceaevv reacts against cap IIB and head ||9 forming a leak-prooi seal which exerts very little friction against rotary movement of head I|9` on seat III. A bore |23 through gate :III provides a passage for the uid through the valve when the former is in axial alignment with openings |05 and |01. Clearance is provided at |25 so that any wearing of the sealing surface may be taken up automatically by spring I2 I Gate land body I 0I do not ilt closely, thus eliminating friction at this point.

In lieu oi thermostatlc element 85, other types -of creep-acting thermostatic elements can be substituted. Thermostatic elements 23. Ill `and I9 may be of any desired type. either creep-act ing or snap-acting.

Fig. 13 illustrates an alternative form for the main valve. In this instance shaft B9 is expanded at |21 to form a sealing member seating against a seal seat |29 formed in case 21. A

spring |3| presses member |21 toward seating position. The Fig. 13 construction is more easily operated than the analogous construction shown in Fig. 4, since the combination of sealing member IiiI and seat |28 exerts relatively little resistance toward movement of shaft 69 and thereforeofflnger'ii.' e 'r Where the pressure in the cooling systemof the automobile is relatively high at low idling speeds, the check valve may be omitted from the system. The system without the check valve works satisfactorily except at low pressurea and Where there .is no substantial period of low pressure the by-pass valve may be omitted.

-Although the present invention has been de- -scribed particularly as applied to heating control system for an automobile, it may be used for controlling other heating systems such as hot air and hot Water heating units for buildings.

In certain cases if desired, one or all of the following, with their functions, may be omitted from the control system of the present invention: The duct and control mechanism for admitting outside air, the thermostat I9 and the electrica-l resistance.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above Y constructions without departing from the scope of the invention,-it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1. A heatingr control system comprising a unit heater for heating a space. said heater including a heat exchanger. a Vconduit for supplying heated fluid to said exchanger from a. variable-now source thereof. a conduit for returning fluid from iluid to said exchanger from a variab le-fiow 4 source thereof, a conduit for returning fluid from said exchanger to said source, valve means in said supply conduit for controlling flow ofuld to said exchanger, by-pass means connecting said supply and return conduits and connected into zsaid supply conduit at a point between said source 5 and said valve means, ilow4 through said by-pass means being determined by the pressure in said supply conduit between said source and valve means, and means responsive to the temperature of the air in saidA space or operating said valve l0 means.

3. A heatingcontrol system comprising a unit heater for heating a space, said heater including a heat exchanger, a' conduit for supplying heated uid to said exchanger from a variable-ow source thereoiya conduit for returning uid from said exchanger to said source, valve means in said supply conduit for. controlling lliow of iluid to said exchanger, a by-pass connecting said supply and return conduits and connected into said supply conduit at a point between said source and said valve means, and -a check valvel in said by-pass adapted to open to permit flow therethrough in Vresponse to increase of pressure in said supply conduit between said source and said valve means.

5 2 heater for.heat ing a space,'said heater including a heat exchanger, a conduit for supplying heated fluid to said exchanger from a variable-flow source thereof, a conduit for returning uid from said exchanger to said source, valve means in said supply conduit for controlling flow of uid to said exchanger, a by-pass connecting said supply and return conduits and connected into said supply conduit at a point between said source and said valve means, a check valve in said by-pass adapted to open to permit now therethrough in response to increase of pressure in said supply conduit between said source and said valve means.

and means responsive to the temperature of the 40 air'in said space for operating said valve means. 5. A heatingcontrol system comprising a unit Iheater for heating a space, said heater including a heat exchanger, a conduit for supplying heated uid to said exchanger from a variable-flow source thereof, a conduit for returning iluid from said exchanger to said source, valve means in said supply conduit for controlling ilow of fluid to said exchanger, and by-pass means connecting said supply and return conduits and connected v into said supply conduit at a point between said source and said valve means, whereby flow i through said by-pass means is determined by the pressure in said supply conduit between said source and valve means, said valve means comprising a plurality of valves exposed to pressure of fluid inopposite directions so as to be substantially balanced hydraulically.

6. A heating control system comprising a unit heater for heating a space, said heater including a heat exchanger, a conduit for supplying heated iluid to said exchanger from a variable-flow source thereof, a conduit'for returning fluid from said exchanger to said source,'valve means in said supply conduit for controlling flow of fluid to said exchanger, and by-pass means connecting said supplyand return conduits and connected nto said supply conduit at a point between said source and said valve means, whereby flow through said by-pass means is determined by the pressure in said supplyconduit between said source and valve means, said valve means comprising a valveA chamber, a reciprocating valve therein, and means for moving said valve including a rotary shaft extending from said chamberv and a seal for said shaft,

4. A heating control system comprising a unit v 7 '1. A heating control system comprising a unit heater for heating a space. said heater including a heat exchanger, a conduit for supplying heated nuid to said exchanger from avariable-flow source thereof, a conduit for returning :duid from said exchanger to said source, valve means in said supply conduit for controlling now of fluid to said exchanger, and by-pass means connecting said supply and return conduits and connected into said supply conduit at a point between said source and said valve means; now through said by-pass means being determined by the pressure in said supply conduit between said source and valve means. said valve means comprising a valve chamber, a reciprocating valve therein, means for moving said valve including a rotary and axially movable shaft extending from said chamber, a sealing member on said shaft.' and means biasing said shaft axially to engage said sealing member against a seat on said chamber.

8. A heating control system comprising a unit heater for heating a space, said heater including a heat exchanger, a conduit for supplying heated nuid to said exchanger from a variable-flow source thereof, a conduit for returning iluid from said exchanger to said source, valve means in said supply conduit for controlling flow of uid to said exchanger, and by-pass means connecting said supply and return conduits and connected into said supply conduit at a point between said source and said valve means, now through said by-pass means being determined by the pressure in said supply conduit between said source and valve means. said valve means comprising a valve chamber, a rotary valve in said chamber, an actuating stem extending from said, chamber, and a rotary seal for said stem.

9. A heating control system comprising a unit heater for heating a space, said heater including a heat exchanger and an electric tan for blowing 8 air therethrough, a conduit for supplying heated uid to said exchanger from a variable iiow source thereof, a conduit for returning uld from said exchanger to said source, valve means in said supply conduit for controlling ow of uid to' said exchanger, a by-pass connecting said supply and return conduits and connected into said supply conduit at a point between said source and said valve means, means responsive to temperature of air in said space for operating said valve means, means responsive to temperature of air in said space for controlling the supply of lair to said heater, means responsive to temperature of said exchanger adapted to energize said fan above a predetermined temperature and to deenergize it below that temperature, and means responsive to temperature of said exchanger for controlling the speed of said fan.

VICTOR G. VAUGHAN. JOHN O. MOORHEAD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

